The controlled synthesis of copper sulfide (CuS) nanoplate-based architectures in different solvents has been realized at low cost by simply reaction of Cu(NO3)(2)center dot 3H(2)O and S under solvothermal conditions without the use of any template. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectrometer and fluorescence measurement were used to characterize the products. The products were all in hexagonal phase with high crystallinity and the morphology was significantly influenced by the solvents. The CuS products synthesized in dimethylformamide (DMF) were nanoplates and the samples prepared in ethanol were flower-like morphology composed of large numbers of nanoplates, but those synthesized in ethylene glycol (EG) were CuS architectures with high symmetry made up of several nanoplates arranged in a certain mode. The optical properties were investigated and the growth mechanisms of these CuS crystals were also proposed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.